Miami Stays at No 1, Ohio State Falls Out of Top 10 in AP Poll Miami retains top spot in college football rankings while Ohio State drops out of the top 10 for the first time in five years after a loss to USC. Miami has retained the number one position in the latest Associated Press Top 25 College Football Poll for the third consecutive week. The Hurricanes secured their standing by narrowly escaping a close contest against North Carolina with a final score of 38-35. This victory demonstrated their resilience and kept them at the summit of the national rankings despite intense competition from other top-tier programs. Ohio State Drops Out of Top TenOhio State has experienced a significant decline, falling out of the top ten rankings for the first time in five years. The Buckeyes plummeted from the number two spot to number eleven following a 30-18 defeat against Southern California. This loss marked the fourth consecutive week in which the team ranked either first or second suffered a defeat against an unranked opponent. Ohio State had remained inside the top ten since September 26, 2021, maintaining an unbroken streak of 86 consecutive polls before this recent downturn.The Buckeyes had previously rebounded into the top ten after a massive 52-point victory over Akron. They subsequently solidified their position with a 39-point win against Rutgers, which helped them stay within the top tier for an extended period. However, the recent defeat has shifted their trajectory, marking a notable setback for a program that has historically dominated the upper echelons of college football rankings.Alabama Rises and UCLA Breaks ThroughAlabama has moved up one place in the polls, reaching the top ten despite not playing a game during the previous week. The Crimson Tide is now positioned within the top tier of the national rankings, bolstered by strong performances and consistent results. Meanwhile, UCLA has achieved a historic milestone by entering the top five for the first time in 25 years. The Bruins are ranked number five, marking their highest placement since they were ranked number four following a six-zero start in 2001.Under the leadership of first-year head coach Bob Chesney, UCLA is currently undefeated at eight wins and zero losses. This is the first time the program has achieved an eight-zero record since 2005. The Bruins stepped out of their conference play to shut out Nevada with a score of 27-0, showcasing their defensive dominance and contributing to their historic rise in the national rankings.Historic Breakthroughs for New MexicoNew Mexico has secured the number 22 ranking, which represents the first time in program history that the Lobos have appeared in the AP Top 25. This achievement comes during the second season of head coach Jason Eck and follows a remarkable seven-one start, which is the best since 1982. The Lobos earned this historic ranking with a 21-16 victory at San Jose State, placing them among the elite programs in the nation.New Mexico is currently the only unbeaten team in conference play from the Mountain West and is considered a serious contender for a Group of Six playoff spot. Their ascent highlights the competitive nature of the college football landscape, where historic programs and emerging teams alike are vying for postseason recognition and national prominence.Key Matchups and Other Notable RankingsIndiana has slipped two positions to number six after securing a 23-16 overtime victory over Minnesota. The top ten is rounded out by BYU, Kentucky, and Texas, all of whom remain highly ranked based on their recent performances. In other developments, Southern California, ranked number 18, boosted its playoff hopes with a win over Ohio State, which stands as the biggest victory in head coach Lincoln Riley's five seasons. Iowa, ranked number 21, continues its domination of Wisconsin with a 30-0 victory, returning to the poll after a one-week absence.South Carolina, ranked number 23, has seen its season revitalize after a period of pessimism. The Gamecocks have won three consecutive games and are ranked for the first time since September 2025. Conversely, SMU's playoff hopes are fading following a 30-27 last-minute loss at Syracuse. Oklahoma State also suffered a dramatic 51-49 defeat to Iowa State, where an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty led to a walk-off field goal.Wisconsin head coach Luke Fickell faces renewed scrutiny after a humiliating loss to Iowa, following a brief reprieve from a dominant win over Southern California. Teams receiving votes outside the top 25 include Northwestern, Oregon, UTSA, SMU, Virginia Tech, Duke, Minnesota, Liberty, Oklahoma State, and Louisville. Upcoming high-stakes games feature Miami visiting Notre Dame for a top-five matchup reminiscent of their historic 1988 meeting.Georgia will face Mississippi to avenge a previous season loss, while BYU and Utah clash in the Holy War, a top-10 matchup with Big 12 championship implications. Kentucky plays Tennessee in a series where Tennessee holds a five-game winning streak, despite Kentucky being tied with Georgia for the SEC lead. Texas meets Missouri in what may be a decisive playoff knockout game, and Alabama faces LSU in a critical matchup for both teams to stay alive in the playoff race.